AROUND 500 animal rights campaigners are expected to mark World Day for Animals in Laboratories in Oxford.

The demonstration at Oxpens Park on April 27 will see guests speakers raising awareness about the issue and a march.

The national event is being brought to the city this year partly to draw attention to Oxford University’s record on animal testing.

Activists say the institution carries out tests on more animals than any other university.

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Organisers of the march call animal testing ‘wasteful, costly and cruel’.

Animals rights campaigner Mel Broughton, from SPEAK, added: “This year it will be in Oxford and we will be drawing attention to the fact that Oxford University use more animals than any other in the country.

“It’s an issue that has been around a long time and is not going away. It is important that people think about this.”

Oxford University did not immediately respond to a request for comment, however it has previously stated: "We are transparent about our research using animals.

"Our website shows the annual totals of all scientific procedures involving animals, after which they will normally be killed humanely under Home Office rules."